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RIDDOR Stands For

Bill Casserley

January 10, 2019

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). The most common instance for reporting is when an injured person has to take more than seven days off work. However more serious injuries will need to be automatically reported. Read on for a summary of what to do and if uncertain when to report.

Reporting

RIDDOR is only for serious instances that occur within the workplace. Injuries that require less than 7 days off work and considered not serious can be reported in the standard accident book and kept securely to comply with the data protection act.

When a RIDDOR incident does need to be reported it can be processed online via the HSE website. Use the sub headings on the page to select what type of incident it is, which will then direct the user to the correct online form.

Remember - If in doubt ask the health & safety officer in your workplace for advice

Injuries

Certain types of injuries will automatically need to be reported using the online service. These can be in addition / alongside to any injury that has caused a worker to have over seven days off work. See below for reportable injuries:

Diseases

The regulations also cover occupational diseases within the workplace. This is to protect workers from over exposure, and is more common with increased / repetitive physical exertion, such as when working within the construction industry. Use RIDDOR when coming across any of the below occupational diseases:

Carpal tunnel syndrome - common with vibrating tools

Chronic asthma - caused by exposure in working conditions

Tendonitis - Can be caused by repetitive physical movements

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome - Power tools and machinery

Occupational Cancers - Established link to the person's work

Helpful Hint - The worker will need to be diagnosed by a doctor to verify what condition they are suffering with

Dangerous Occurrences

The final category that RIDDOR covers is any dangerous occurrences that happen within the workplace. Keeping track of these helps the HSE improve health and safety and reduce the number of fatalities within the workplace. The below list summarises some of the most common dangerous occurrences:

Lifting equipment - collapses, overturning and near misses

Explosions - any unintentional explosion within the workplace

Biological agents - any release that may cause harm / illness

Overhead power cables - Direct contact to uninsulated cables or near misses

Regulations 2013

In summary think about the following factors when considering filing a RIDDOR report. Each report made could prevent a future fatality and can help the HSE in ways that cannot be fully understood at the time of the incident:

Has someone missed over seven days off work

If not is their injury on the list of those considered very serious

The worker has been diagnosed with an occupational disease by their doctor

A known dangerous occurrence has happened within the workplace

When encountering any of the above and when it is safe to do so, file a report online.

Helpful hint - The HSE has a contact number to report fatal / major incidents only - 0345 300 9923